FCC Regulators Warn Operators
Regarding Stiffer Cable Rules

WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators warned that tough new rules may be in store for cable companies that operate in markets where they have little or no competition.

While members of the Federal Communications Commission stopped short of advocating a freeze on cable rates, the three Democrats among the five commissioners Tuesday vowed to look hard at writing rules that could force cable operators to offer more programming choices, and to shift some of the burden for higher programming costs to advertisers from subscribers....